THE WEIRS TIMES & THE COCHECO TIMES, Thursday, April 12, 2012
METHODIST CHURCH, WEIRS-1889
by Rev. Victoria Wood Parrish Contributing Writer
Last time I talked about
the economic baggage many people carry, that cripples them and cripples our society. However, there is another baggage that many people are carrying – a spiritual baggage that weighs them down. In New Hampshire, as in
the rest of the world, there is a significant percent- age of the population that say they are not religious. Many say they don’t be- lieve in God. Some say they don’t have faith. And many of these people say they are freer without faith than those of us who have faith. That is interesting since
we quote Christ, who said to people he healed, “Your faith has made you free” or “Your faith has made you well.” We believe that those with faith are freer than those without. Both sides are claiming
freedom – but freedom from what? I think both sides are claiming freedom from spiritual baggage – from burdens that bear us down and make our lives less worthwhile. So, what is in that bag-
gage? All of us have done some-
February 25, 2012
Message of the BLESSED VIRGIN MARY Medjugorje, Bosnia-Hercegovina
“Dear children! At this time, in a special way I call you: ‘pray with the heart’. Little children, you speak much and pray little. Read and meditate on Sacred Scripture, and may the words written in it be life for you. I encourage and love you, so that in God you may find your peace and the joy of living. Thank you for having responded to my call.”
For a FREE copy of the book, “Medjugorje the Message” call Faith 702-558-7520
Our Blessed Mother has been giving a Message to the World every 25th day of the month since June 1981.
COMMUNITY CHURCH MEDITATIONS CARRYING SPIRITUAL BAGGAGE
thing at some time that we more than regret, and so we carry a burden of guilt.
It may have been the
poorly said word that de- stroyed a relationship, an act of violence that lowered us, a theft, a turning away from something or some- one. We may have decided against giving help where we could or we may have failed to take a stand. And we know we did it, and it was wrong. So we carry the burden of
guilt. A Christian believes that what we do to hurt others also hurts our rela- tionship with God, and so we carry that extra burden. However, we also know that we can ask forgiveness and receive it. We know that we still have the responsibility to try to make things right, but that God will forgive us if we ask in honesty. The burden of guilt can be lifted. Christians carry the burden of unbelief, even
though they have faith. In Mark 9:24, a desper- ate father seeking Jesus’ help, cried, “I believe, help my unbelief!” Most Chris- tians who are honest with themselves will admit that there are times when they question their faith. That doesn’t bother me, because I think that we only grow in knowledge and faith when we ask questions. We do not need to carry our questions as a burden if we accept them as steps in spiritual growth. Sometimes we carry the
burden of superiority, and this is truly a burden we should put down. We want to believe that we are bet- ter than others because we have accepted Christ as our Lord – but we are not. We are still God’s creations and we are not God. We still have the same problems that face nonbelievers; we live in the same world. As Jesus said, “the sun shines on the good and the bad,
Meet The PET OF THE WEEK Say Hello to Toby
Toby travelled to New Hampshire from Alabama, hoping in our cool
New England state he would get a second chance, as all good dogs deserve.
He’s very good looking, sturdy and personable, just a whippersnapper at three months old.
Being of Cattle dog extraction he is smarter than many dogs you already know, and truly, without proper guidance and plenty to keep his young canine mind busy, he will quickly be in charge of your entire home. Think of Toby as the bright red Ferrari you have always wanted to own. Just like that touchy piece of Italian automobile poetry that requires and demands your superior driving skills; this wonderful pup needs a home with folks who are able to provide the mastery that will keep Toby centered and happy.
He has made friends with some of our more active younger dogs while staying at the NH Humane Society. His adoption fee includes puppy training classes If you like the personality and activity level of the Australian Cattle Dog, please consider Toby.
For more information call 524-3252 or check
www.nhhumane.org Courtesy of the Weirs Times & Cocheco Times
and the rain falls on both.” We are still imperfect and
sinners – and we know it. We cannot claim superi- ority, and it is a burden that we should not carry. Thinking we are better than others, just makes the fall harder when we have to face the lies we tell our- selves. Give it up. We are not better than others just because we have faith. What we do have is a world view that gives hope. We know that things can be better, and that we can help make things better. We know that we are a part of salvation history. We know that God loves us and the world and wants the best for us. We know that we have responsibilities and can fulfill them. We know that this life is not all there is and that another great adventure will always await us.
Jesus also said, “Come to
me all you who are weary and heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28) Rest; sounds good, doesn’t it!
Rev. Victoria Wood Par-
rish is the pastor of the First United Methodist Churchin Gilford, NH, located on Route 11-A. It is a congre- gation of open hearts, open minds, and open doors. We invite you to worship with us on Sundays at 10:30 AM. Children’s activities and nursery are available during the 10:30 morning worship. We also invite you to the United Method- ist Church in the Weirs, 35 Tower St., which worships at 10:00 AM. There are also many other local congrega- tions who would welcome you to worship.
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